Surrey will finally allow cannabis retailers. Now, the competition for licences begins
More than five years after marijuana was legalized in Canada, B.C.’s second-largest city has given the green light to cannabis retail stores.
In a unanimous vote Monday night, Surrey’s mayor and council agreed to a framework that will allow up to 12 cannabis retailers in the city.
“Cannabis has been a legal substance for a number of years now, and I think it’s high time that residents of Surrey can buy cannabis in their own city, not having to buy online or go to other municipalities,” said councillor Linda Annis.
John Kaye, the CEO and co-founder of Burb Cannabis, which has eight locations in Metro Vancouver and Victoria, said it’s a long time coming.
“Cannabis is such a convenience purchase, and having to drive outside of where you live to get what some deem essential, some view it as medicine and obviously the recreational side, I think it’s a no-brainer,” said Kaye.
The team at Burb is interested in opening a Surrey location, but expects competition to be fierce.
“I think when you dwindle it down to groups that have an operating history and track record and things like that, it will thin out. But definitely it will be competitive. I think there is a lot of great retailers here in B.C. that will be trying to serve the market there,” said Kaye.
While staff will make recommendations, it’s ultimately up to city council to decide which proposals are approved.
“I’d like to see who has the best offering that they can make to Surrey, the best locations. They have got to be in great visible locations, not close to schools our playgrounds or any other place that kids frequent. But I think it’s all about when it comes down to it, the proposal,” said Annis.
Anita Huberman with the Surrey Board of Trade is urging mayor and council to consider local entrepreneurs.
“The big retailers, the big chains, yes, they’re important as part of the economy. But let’s give our local cannabis retailers a chance as well. So there needs to be fairness in terms of the selection, in terms of who our retailers are going to be within Surrey,” said Huberman.
Burb wants to be one of those retailers. But regardless of whether it gets one of the 12 licences, Kaye says the decision to allow cannabis stores in Surrey is the right one, adding “this is a big win for the city, the residents and the industry as a whole.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Air Canada walks back new seat selection policy change after backlash
Air Canada has paused a new seat selection fee for travellers booked on the lowest fares just days after implementing it.
Province boots mayor and council in small northern Ont. town out of office
An ongoing municipal strike, court battles and revolt by half of council has prompted the province to oust the mayor and council in Black River-Matheson.
3 law officers serving warrant are killed, 5 wounded in shootout at North Carolina home, police say
Three officers on a U.S. Marshals Task Force serving a warrant for a felon wanted for possessing a firearm were killed and five other officers were wounded in a shootout Monday at a North Carolina home, police said.
'Shocked and concerned': Calgary principal charged with possession of child pornography
A Calgary elementary school principal has been charged with possession of child pornography, authorities announced Monday.
Health authority confirms cockroaches at B.C. hospital, insists they 'do not bite'
The Vancouver Island Health Authority is downplaying what staff describe as a cockroach infestation in a medical unit of Saanich Peninsula Hospital.
Toronto police arrest 12 people, lay 102 charges in major credit card fraud scheme
Toronto police say 12 people are facing a combined 102 charges in connection with an investigation into a major credit fraud scheme.
Winner of US$1.3 billion Powerball jackpot is an immigrant from Laos who has cancer
One of the winners of a historic US$1.3 billion Powerball jackpot last month is an immigrant from Laos who has had cancer for eight years and had his latest chemotherapy treatment last week.
Britney and Jamie Spears settlement avoids long, potentially ugly and revealing trial
Britney Spears and her father Jamie Spears will avoid what could have been a long, ugly and revealing trial with a settlement of the lingering issues in the court conservatorship that controlled her life and financial decisions for nearly 14 years.
WATCH 'Double whammy': What happens if you don't file your taxes by the deadline
The clock is ticking ahead of the deadline to file a 2023 income tax return. A personal finance expert explains why you should get them done -- even if you owe more than you can pay.